Prime Minister Harper is focused on photo-ops with Panda’s while a march of Cree youth to arrive in Ottawa to press for changes to Indigenous people’s treatment. Priorities way off. Background: Indigenous youth on epic journey to Ottawa deserve attention and respect Journey of Nishiyuu began with vision, ends with hope wolves will unite Watch Read more »
Walmart Strike! Links to background, analysis and action
The December 23rd Black Friday Walmart strike in the US is about dignity and fairness for Walmart workers and an end to Walmart retaliation when they speak out for those reasonable and just demands. It is informal and decentralized, yet has proven to be exceptionally effective – perhaps for those very reasons. I am Read more »
Windsor, Toronto students walkout in support of teachers’ right to strike
Student walkouts in Ontario in support of teachers and against Bill 115 appear to be growing. Today in Windsor and Essex county, hundreds of students have refused to attend class and have rallied in support of teachers against the government imposed wage freeze, limitation of sick days and the removal of teacher’s right to strike. In Toronto, 35 Read more »
Yunel Escobar, homophobia, and Major League Baseball.
Major League Baseball has a lot of its own homophobia to overcome before it can get too self-righteous about the Yunel Escobar slur. But opportunity knocks. The homophobic slur (“Tu ere maricón’ – loosely translated as, ‘You are sissy / faggy’) that Yunel Escobar placed on his eye black during a Red Sox-Blue Jays game Read more »
David Graeber and David Harvey on Occupy and more
I’ve purchased both of their newest books (Debt: The First 5000 Years, and Rebel Cities) over the past 6 months, but have I read them? I think the time has come, though I’ll probably start with the little one. In the meantime… “Respectively two of the foremost theorists of Marxist geography and the Occupy movement, Harvey Read more »
The Macdonald Laurier Institute’s Corporate and Conservative ties
It’s worth keeping an eye out for the Macdonald Laurier Institute, and taking their ‘independent, non-partisan’ reports with a grain of salt. [Reuters] A new report from the Macdonald Laurier Institute (MLI) dismisses NDP leader Thomas Mulcair’s recent claim that Canada’s oil and gas focused economy is producing economic value that tends to benefit only certain parts of the country. Read more »
Toronto library workers strike rally
Below are some pictures I took at the CUPE 4948 library workers strike rally at Toronto city hall today. If you love your library, please support them! Check out their site here: CUPE local 4948 I have lived in a few different cities over the years and I have seen how devastating funding cuts can Read more »
5 Caterpillar talking points: Profits, tax breaks & relocation threats
On January 1st, 2012 Caterpillar, Inc locked out 465 workers at Electro-Motive, its London, Ontario locomotive plant, after offering a contract that would cut workers’ wages & benefits by more than half (to approximiately $16.50/hr). Picket lines have been set up (photo), a long lockout is expected, and there are indications that Caterpillar is simply Read more »
Photos from London Caterpillar rally and picket
Here are a few photos I took at the rally and picket line on Saturday in London in support of the locked out Caterpillar/Electro-motive workers (click to pop up images and for captions):